An Ohio woman lost custody of her 11-year-old daughter on Thursday for allegedly lying about the girl being terminally ill.
According to The Canton Repository, the Stark County Sheriff’s Office and Stark County Division of Children Services took the child from Lindsey Abbuhl, 34, a day before the girl’s father, Jamie Abbuhl, was awarded emergency custody. Police confirmed Lindsey Abbuhl is under criminal investigation, and Children Services filed a neglect and abuse complaint which accused her of using her daughter’s medical condition to garner money, housing, and trips for the past several years.
Lindsey Abbuhl allegedly claimed her daughter’s central nervous system was failing due to an incurable and unknown medical condition. However, a medical professional who reviewed the child’s extensive medical records concluded there was no evidence to support she was terminally ill, according to court documents.
The Canton Repository reported that the girl believed she was dying, and she had been going to a counselor for several years to process what she thought was her impending death.
The girl’s purported medical condition caught the attention of two Stark County universities, who held an event in late February where the girl threw the first pitch during the exhibition softball game.
During the event, Lindsey Abbuhl allegedly told The Canton Repository that her daughter has two months to live.
“On her [bucket] list, she listed being a college softball player as a top wish. In trying to get her as close as possible to that in her last remaining time she has, Walsh and Malone [universities] will play a scrimmage at the Hall of Fame Fitness Center,” a description for the event reads.
After the event, several people contacted The Canton Repository and questioned whether the 11-year-old was as sick as Lindsey Abbuhl says — alleging the mother previously claimed she had a brain tumor herself. At some point, Lindsey Abbuhl reportedly interviewed families to take in her daughter after she died.
Lindsey Abbuhl told the news outlet that she was a victim of a smear campaign and the allegations were false. She declined to show her daughter’s medical records and claimed doctors were unable to diagnose and treat the cause of her illness.
Meanwhile, friends and family said the 11-year-old appeared healthy and continued to play and travel.
The terms of Jamie and Lindsey Abbuhl’s 2017 divorce made Lindsey the custodial parent. Jamie Abbuhl told The Canton Repository that he grew concerned over the past few months as he grew skeptical of his ex-wife’s claims that their daughter was dying. He said his daughter’s medical issues were limited to slow digestion and constipation.
According to the report, Lindsey Abbuhl told police on Thursday that she did not fabricate her daughter’s medical condition. Police have exercised an emergency provision to remove the girl from the home.
According to the news outlet, the girl will stay in her father’s custody at least until next month’s court hearing.
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[Featured image: Lindsey Abbuhl/Facebook]
